Maniraptoran pelvic musculature highlights evolutionary patterns in theropod locomotion on the line to birds

PeerJ

article

Matthew M. Rhodes¹  Donald M. Henderson²  Philip J. Currie¹ 

[1] Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta;Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

关键词: Cursoriality;    Functional morphology;    Morphology;    Myology;    Maniraptora;    Theropod;    Locomotion;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.10855

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Locomotion is a fundamental aspect of palaeobiology and often investigated by comparing osteological structures and proportions. Previous studies document a stepwise accumulation of avian-like features in theropod dinosaurs that accelerates in the clade Maniraptora. However, the soft tissues that influenced the skeleton offer another perspective on locomotory adaptations. Examination of the pelvis for osteological correlates of hind limb and tail musculature allowed reconstruction of primary locomotory muscles across theropods and their closest extant relatives. Additionally, the areas of pelvic muscle origins were quantified to measure relative differences within and between taxa, to compare morphological features associated with cursoriality, and offer insight into the evolution of locomotor modules. Locomotory inferences based on myology often corroborate those based on osteology, although they occasionally conflict and indicate greater complexity than previously appreciated. Maniraptoran pelvic musculature underscores previous studies noting the multifaceted nature of cursoriality and suggests that a more punctuated step in caudal decoupling occurred at or near the base of Maniraptora.

【 授权许可】

CC BY